Readers have a right to know who is behind the news they read and how that news is paid for. We want to be direct on both points.
Ownership disclosures
Detailed legal and ownership disclosures will be published on this page when they are finalized. We would rather say that clearly than fill the space with details that are not yet confirmed. Until then, we are not naming owners, investors or partners here, and nothing on this site should be read as implying any.
How we intend to be funded
Our funding principles are settled even though the details are still developing:
- Readers first. We want to earn the attention and, over time, the support of the people who read us.
- Labelled sponsored content. Any sponsored story will be marked as such and kept apart from news.
- Audio sponsorship. Sponsor messages in audio programs will be identified as sponsor messages.
No pay-for-coverage
We do not accept payment in exchange for coverage, for favorable framing, or for leaving something out. A company that advertises with us gets no say in what we report about it, or about its competitors.
The firewall
The newsroom and the business side are kept separate. Editors do not negotiate advertising, and the people who sell sponsorships do not assign, edit or approve stories. If an advertiser objects to coverage, the objection goes to the editor-in-chief and has no bearing on the outcome.
When a story concerns an organization that also sponsors us, we will disclose the relationship in the story.
What this page will contain
As details are finalized, we plan to add:
- The legal name and structure of the publishing organization.
- A summary of who holds a significant stake, where applicable.
- Our policy on accepting grants or donations, if we do.
- A date-stamped record of any material changes.
Questions
Please use the contact page. Please use the contact page. Our Advertise With Us page explains the formats we plan to offer.
Why we are cautious
Transparency only has value if the information is accurate. Publishing a half-finished description of who owns a news organization, or a made-up list of supporters, would work against the very trust this page is meant to build. So we will publish the real details once they are final and verified, and not before.
How you can help
The simplest support is also the most useful: read us, share stories you found valuable and tell us when we get something wrong.